japanoutline - MIDDLE DEVELOPERS GERMANY JAPAN Key phases...

MIDDLE DEVELOPERS GERMANY JAPAN Key phases in Japanese development Key terms Two lectures on Japan will focus on 1) what made contemporary Japan similar to other liberal democracies (Britain, France and Germany) and 2) what makes its development and contemporary practices dissimalr if not unique (articles by Margaret McKean and Bayley). The assigned readings nicely complement and fill in details of what the lectures say. 3)uniqueness-Japanese postwar accomplishments challenge the view that a strong state is imperative for economic and political development. Hence,

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what is government for in Japan? (McKean) What kind of democracy does Japan have? -Another challenge: high level of economic equality without too much government intervention, something that runs counter to standard view (McKean piece)-why police services Bayley): how unique is community policing to Japanese society? Could we have that kind of community policing in, say, the United States, Spain, or Canada? (it was tried in NY City and Montreal but it did not work) QUICK OVERVIEW 1)Path of development • HISTORICAL ROOTS OF INSTITUTIONS • THE MEIJI ERA 1868-1912 • TAISHO DEMOCRACY 1918-1932 2

• WWII *ALLY OF GERMANY & ITALY • OCCUPATION (LIKE GERMANY) (similarities and differences) =RESULT: HEALTHY DEMOCRACY NOT TOO DISSIMILAR WITH OTHER DEMOCRACIES WE HAVE STUDIED. 2) THE MODERN JAPANESE POLITICAL SYSTEM: 1. THE MODERN JAPANESE CONSTITUTION ART. 9 2. SOVEREIGNTY 3. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS 4. MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEM 3

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JAPAN LECTURE NOTES j. is a fascinating country to study for several reasons: 1. In a century’s time, Japan went from being almost completely isolated feudal society to the world;s second richest country and stable democracy. 2. J. the only imperial power in Asia, itself becoming a colonizer rather than a colonized state. 3. Like Germany, Japan experimented with democracy during the 1920s before succumbing to militarist power during the 1930s. 4. Fought with Italy and Germany during the Second world war and was occupied by the US allied forces from its defeat until 1952. 5. Whereas the king of Italy was forced into exile after the war, the emperor of Japan was allowed to stay and to continue as symbol of the country. 6. The Japanese Constitution after the war, was drafted with significant US influence, art. 9, renounced was as a sovereign right of the nation. 7. Japan is one of the most pacifist countries in the world today, and it relies on economic and soft power in its foreign relations. 8. Also of interest, Japan has a unique form of parliamentary

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